PRESS RELEASE
8 Films Selected for
"Filipino New Cinema" Section of
World Premieres Film Festival
Philippines 2015
Eight
films have been selected to vie in the Filipino New Cinema section of the World
Premieres Film Festival Philippines (WPFF) 2015, organized by the Film
Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). The festival will take place from June 24 to July 7, 2015, and will
screen at SM Cinemas.
The
section will feature new Filipino films from contemporary filmmakers who are
looking to premiere their latest works before an international audience in the
Philippines. The section further
highlights the high caliber of films produced and made in the country.
Festival
Awards for this section include film grants of varying amounts as well as awards
for Best Picture, 2nd Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best
Editing, Best Musical Score, Best Sound Engineering, Best Production Design,
and Best Performances by an Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting
Actress. The awards will be given by an
international jury comprised of experts in cinema.
The eight (8) films
selected in the Filipino New Cinema competing section of the WPFF (pioneer
batch) are: “Ang Kubo sa Kawayanan”
directed by Alvin Yapan, “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” directed
by Nestor Abrogena, “Filemon Mamon” directed by Will Fredo, “I Love You. Thank You.”
directed by Charliebebs Gohetia, “Maskara” directed by Genesis
Nolasco, “Of Sinners and Saints” directed by Ruben Maria Soriquez, “Piring”
directed by Carlos Morales, and “Sino Nga Ba Si Pangkoy Ong?”
directed by Jonah Lim.
“Ang Kubo sa Kawayanan” directed
by Alvin Yapan, focuses on Michelle (Mercedes Cabral) who lives in her own
special world and has special relationship with her house by the bamboo grove. In Michelle’s world, everything is
interconnected, and even the smallest of things has a story to tell. Also starring in the film are RK Bagatsing and
Mark Felix.
“Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” directed by
Nestor Abrogena, observes the troubled relationship of Sam (Nicco Manalo) and
Isa (Emmanuelle Vera) as they prepare to confront a dilemma that has been
brewing and slowly growing. Also
starring in the film is Brian Corella.
“Filemon Mamon” directed by Will
Fredo, is the funny story of FIlemon Mamon (Jerome Ignacio), a high school
student who desires two things. First,
to win the heart of the girl he loves and second, to be the lead in a musical
play about his Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio. But he has a problem: his weight. Also starring Miles Ocampo, Smokey Manaloto, Rayver
Cruz, Christian Bautista, Nanette Inventor, Giselle Sanchez, and Joshua Colet.
“I Love You. Thank You.” directed by
Charliebebs Gohetia, is the story of Paul (Joross Gamboa) a restless
twenty-something who cannot get his life together, and to make matters worse,
falls into a love triangle between Red, his best friend Ivan’s boyfriend, and
Tang (Thai actor Ae Pattawan), whom he meets in his travels to Siem Reap.
“Maskara” directed by Genesis Nolasco,
follows the story of Pia Gorospe (Ina Feleo) as she tries to uncover the truth
behind the death of a high level executive at the One Wired Nation company,
with her quest taking her all the way to the city of Marinduque as it
celebrates the Moriones tradition. Also
starring Ping Medina, Lance Raymundo, Lester Llansang, and Boots Anson-Roa.
“Of Sinners and Saints” directed by
Ruben Maria Soriquez, follows the story of Leonardo Rosselini (Ruben Maria Soriquez),
a young Italian priest who is assigned to a parish in Payatas and soon descends
into the one of the poorest and violent areas in Metro Manila. Also starring Polo Ravales, Raymond Bagatsing,
Chanel Latorre, Richard Quan, and Sue Prado.
“Piring” (Blindfold) directed by
Carlos Morales is about James (Yussef Esteves), a working student who struggles
to keep both ends meet as he provides for his troubled family, amidst the
corrupted dealings of the city. Also
starring in the film are Krista Miller, Bembol Roco, and Tessie Tomas.
“Sino Nga Ba Si Pangkoy Ong?”
directed by Jonah Lim, focuses on the adventures and misadventures of three
close friends -- Armand (Kiko Matos), Julian (Paulo de Vera), and Paolo (Elston
Jimenez), as they embark on writing a manuscript under the pseudonym of an
established author, in the hopes of making money. Also starring Hazel Faith dela Cruz, Coleen
Perez, and Lara Villar.
GALA PREMIERES for the Filipino New
Cinema entries will be attended by directors and cast from June 25-27 at the SM
North EDSA Cinemas (two cinemas):
For June 25, the films “Sino Nga Ba
Si Pangkoy Ong?” (5:00 pm) and “Ang Kubo Sa Kawayanan” (7:00 pm) will
premiere. On June 26, it’s “Masakara”
(5:00 pm), “Piring” (7:00 pm), and “I
Love You. Thank You.” (8:00 pm).
June 27 will have “Ang Kwento Nating
Dalawa” (5:00 pm), “Filemon Mamon” (7:00 pm), and “Of Sinners and Saints” (8:00
pm).
The directors will introduce their
films, the cast and crew, and will take part in a short Q&A after the
screening. Gala Premieres are strictly
invitational.
The WPFF, the
international film festival on the rise in South East Asia, derives from the
simple concept of bringing together a number of countries for a distinct film
festival that amplifies diversity in cinema. Featured films will vie for top awards and
have red carpet gala premiere screenings at the country’s stylish cinemas, with
film luminaries and celebrities in attendance.
Besides the “Filipino New Cinema” section, the WPFF also has its Main
Competition, Cine Verde section, and Parallel sections (Euroview, ASEAN Skies,
Ibero-America, and Eurasian Cinescape). Overall, the festival will screen 60 to 70 films
from around the world.
Running in tandem with the WPFF is the International
Film Exposition (IFX), one of the premier Film Expositions and Film Markets
in South East Asia, which will be held from June 26 to 28 at the SMX Convention
Center.
Please visit the website at www.wpff.ph for more details for
festival news and updates.
